By Christopher Miti
Police in Chipangali District have apprehended eight more people in connection with the murder of a referee at Mchenga Primary School ground in Chief Mafuta last week.
This brings the number of those arrested to 12.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba said police apprehended the eight suspects who are mostly supporters between 01 and 02:00 hours today.
Mr Mweemba said the police service has cast its net wide in ensuring that all the perpetrators are brought to book.
Donald Tonga aged 55 of Madalitso Farms was beaten to death by players and supporters of Mikango United Football Club for alleged poor officiating in a match against Leopard FC.
Mr Mweemba said all the suspects are from Laban village Chief Mshawa.
He said the suspects went into hiding and were apprehended around 19:00 hours yesterday.
Mr Mweemba said the suspects are in custody while the search for other suspects that are still in hiding has intensified.
And Chipangali Member of Parliament Andrew Lubusha clarified that he is not the sponsor of the community soccer tournament in Msandire ward where the referee was beaten to death.
Mr Lubusha said the tournament was organized by the local people and that he only gave them supplementary support of match balls and K5000.
-ZNBC